In the world of herbs, oregano, basil, and parsley get a lot of attention. But I’ve always been a huge fan of lemongrass. In fact, lemongrass tea has been a constant at my house since I started growing it on my patio. Hot lemongrass tea is soothing and comforting on cool evenings and equally delicious over ice. So, when the heat of summer hit last year, my son and I started making big batches of lemongrass tea and chilling it in the fridge. We drink it in the morning to kickstart our day or enjoy it hot in the evening to relax and unwind. With its vibrant flavor and aroma, it’s pretty much happiness in a cup! According to WebMD, it’s rich in antioxidants, may be great for digestion, and could lower cholesterol levels and heart disease. Some people love putting lemongrass essential oil in their lotion, swearing it helps their skin. It definitely smells good.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Lemongrass Tea
Wash – Rinse and remove any dry or tough outer layers from the lemongrass stalks and leaves. Chop – Cut the stalk’s root end and upper part off, leaving the tender, pale-yellow base and the green upper part. On a cutting board, finely chop the stalks into smaller pieces. Slice the ginger. (Photos 1-2) Twist – Fold the leaves into a length that will fit the pot you are using and twist. Twisting releases more flavor from the lemongrass. Boil Water – Fill a pot with water based on the number of cups you intend to brew and how strong you want your tea to be. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a rolling boil. Steep – Once the water reaches a boil, add the chopped lemongrass stalks, twisted leaves, and sliced ginger to the pot. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. (Photo 3) Strain – Take the pot off the heat and carefully pour the tea through the strainer, discarding the lemongrass pieces and ginger slices. (Photo 4) Serve – Pour the tea into a teacup and add sugar or honey to taste. You could squeeze a bit of lemon juice and garnish it with lemon or lime wedges. Stir gently to combine the ingredients, ensuring that the flavors are well-distributed.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Making lemongrass tea only takes a few minutes, so you can boil up a batch whenever your taste buds desire! If you love cold tea, make it ahead, let it cool on the counter, and then store it in refrigerate. You can also freeze some of the tea in an ice cube tray to make ice tea without watering it down.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve hot or cold to close out a delicious meal or accompany an afternoon snack. Leftover lemongrass tea stores beautifully in the refrigerator for 3 days. You can reheat the refrigerated tea in the microwave if you prefer hot tea.
What to Serve With Lemongrass Tea
I love to unwind at the end of a busy day with a cup of lemongrass tea and a cranberry orange scone or lemon blueberry scone. Biscotti and ambrosia salad are also perfect for a late-afternoon treat on the patio!
More Refreshing Beverages to Try
Conclusion
Take a break from your busy day and indulge in this soothing lemongrass tea treat! Do you prefer to drink lemongrass tea hot or cold? Leave me a comment below with your thoughts!
Watch How to Make It
